Latest news, updated at 05:00 pm India downplays confusing signal from Pak on MFN status...more 2G: Kanimozhi, 3 others move HC for bail...more  Create environment at home for bringing back black money: PM...more Pro-Left transport unions strike work in Kerala...more Right to recall may destabilise structure: Advani...more  Hegde slams govt attempt to split Lokpal provisions...more Asif to challenge conviction in spot-fixing scam: Report...more

Trinamool threatens to quit UPA over petrol price hike 
Prime Minister defends hike; Mamata seeks appointment with him
New Delhi/Kolkata, Nov 4
 Forced on the backfoot by mounting outrage over yet another hike in petrol prices and Mamata Banerjee threatening to pull out of the UPA, the Congress today indicated it might be willing to provide a ‘healing touch’. 

Demonstrators carry a motorbike with the help of bamboo sticks to protest a hike in petrol prices in New Delhi on Friday. — Reuters

Nation Page: UPA allies' outcry may lead to rollback
Business Page: Fuel retailers forced to hike petrol prices: OilMin

Anna vows to take on Cong if word on Lokpal not kept
Asks Centre to follow Uttarakhand model
New Delhi, November 4
High on energy after a 19-day vow of silence, which he ended at Rajghat this morning, social activist Anna Hazare finally issued a political warning to the Congress, threatening to ruin its prospects in poll-bound states if the Jan Lokpal Bill was not passed in the winter session of Parliament.

Fierce contest for aircraft deal 
New Delhi, November 4
The Defence Ministry today opened the commercial bids of the two fighter aircraft companies that are in the race to supply 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force. Sources said the two bidders — European Consortium’s Eurofighter Typoon and French firm Dasssault’s Rafale — are running neck and neck in the race for the multi-billion dollar deal.

satyam multi-crore accounting fraud
SC grants bail to Raju, brother
New Delhi, November 4
The Supreme Court today granted bail to Satyam Computers’ founder Ramalinga Raju and his brother B Rama Raju, pointing out that they had already spent two years and eight months in jail and 226 witnesses had been examined during the ongoing trial in one of the biggest accounting frauds involving about Rs 14,000 crore.

Yeddyurappa’s second bail plea hearing adjourned
Bangalore, November 4
Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s hope of walking out from the prison were dashed today with the high court here adjourning to November 8 further hearing on his second bail application in a graft case.

Common MBBS entrance test on May 13: MCI
New Delhi, November 4
The Medical Council of India today said it would conduct the common medical MBBS entrance test on May 13 next year. The core syllabus has been finalised. The MCI announced date for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test even though the Ministry of Health is yet to issue a notification.

DRDO comes up with zero-energy cooling chambers for deserts
Chandigarh, November 4
Amidst rising environmental concerns and increasing power costs, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is bringing to the fore an ancient “zero energy” cooling technique that is dependent on the natural evaporation of water.

LEGISLATORS’ CRIMINAL BACKGROUND SC notice to Centre, states on PIL New Delhi, November 4 Expressing concern over the criminal background of a large number of MPs and MLAs, the Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Centre and all the state governments, seeking their response to a PIL that seeks completion of trial of such elected representatives within six months. During a brief hearing, a Bench comprising Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Chelameswar described as “very disturbing” the petitioners’ claim.